Tag: Dan Milligan

The Joy Thieves ” Apocalypse Pending”

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Chicago Industrial Supergroup The Joy Thieves on Armalyte Industries in 2018 has a brand-new album just in time for the steady decay of the post Capitalist society. Drum Daddy Dan Milligan started this project in 2018 blending a love of live punk rock power, and industrial electronic expertise. A chance meeting through his wife with Chicago Industrial Supergroup legend Martin Atkins (Pigface) led to Milligan compiling a talent packed armada to rival any group in the genre that includes current, former, and touring members of bands such as Ministry, Stabbing Westward, Rollins Band, Killing Joke, Pigface, RevCo, PIG, David Bowie, Blue October, Machines of Loving Grace, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Naked Raygun, Foetus, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Pegboy, Nitzer Ebb, and more. I’m proud to say the “more” even includes me.

The Joy Thieves – Apocalypse Pending – Lyrics by Chris Connelly (Yes that Chris Connelly)

Additional production by:

Derek Christopher –Penfield Studios
Mark Pistel -Room 5 Studios

Jeff Harris -JH Studios

Steven Archer -House of Wolves

Dee J Nelson -DJN Music Studio

Jane Jensen -Autozen Music

DJ Darryl Hell -HellLab Studios




Mastered by James Scott at Populist Recording + Mastering
Art direction by Destiny Justic Scott

Original artwork by Charlie Athanas for Burning City

2022 Sounds and Shadows Interview with The Joy Thieves

The world has steadily progressed into a pea green soup skied nightmare of political confrontation, media overload, and wealth disparity which has us all terrified for the future. Enter the sonic baseball bat with nails driven through it to fight back against the dumpster fire that is “Apocalypse Pending“. From the funky bashing buildup of 52 second title track intro (Milligan/DJ Darryl Hell) into the first single “No Anchor” (Connelly/Milligan) we are thrust into a desperate crumbling world which the Thieves immediately start beating the piss out of until it releases the sweet juice of hope.

“Why am I desperate to have no anchor? To prowl just like a panther? I can’t remain for anyone Why is it frostbite in July? So strange the time flies I can’t remain for anyone I will not stay, I’m not wanted I’m neither living, nor haunted Beauty has no anchor, don’t forget you’re here “

Things that really stand out above the pack in 2026. 1) The drums here (As expected by Drum Daddy Dan Milligan) are absolutely electric. Every track to tight, clean, but always feels like it is rattling off the tracks. It never does but the sense of anxiety created by controlled chaos releases your adrenaline. 2) This is peak Chris Connelly, not that he ever goes wrong but I think Dan and company are huge fans that really understand the pocket to create for one of the best ever to do Industrial vocals to let him shine. He snarls, croons, spits, and breathes with perfect intuitive timing. 3) The lyrics are the self-aware directed anger that this era is screaming for given voice. I just don’t spend enough time reading along with the lyrics sheet while listening to music these days, but that’s exactly what this record had me doing. 4) The guitar tones here a DIALED in, they are crunching and cooking just beating you over the head while you stomp.

Favorite Tracks: Honestly all of them. This is a hit play and let them cook album. That is a cop out answer though so here we go.

“The Wrong End Of Your Rifle” – What a flow this track has. It is so real with 90s Industrial homage and Public Enemy political intelligence.

“Not one to clash with my investors
More like cardiac arresters
Menace, ignorance
And heavily armed court jesters

Blamin’ it all
Menace becomes investor
Pay to win
Corporate branding on your sin of sins
You came to blame
And nothing will keep you stifled
Menacing
At the wrong end of your rifle”

“Knife Fight Nihilism” – Jensen and Connelly do a beautiful vocal volley in a slam poetry full of razor wit and funky beats. I love the old school record scratching effect and slippery phrasing.

I’m kind of warming up to you
And your consistent fight
To make it true
A knife fight in a garden
Close to paradise
A royal pardon
Look what’s branding us with heavy shields!
And mortal stuff we can’t reveal
You spilled your guts out
And the dogs prepared to feast
A knife fight honors every carnivore and every beast
Unlikely bloodstains make a pattern
Like a jigsaw on the lam
Unlikely jetties rid the sea of bodies
Dead serious, or just another dead man?

This album is a must have and an early contender for my album of the year.

“Katharsis” – Amulet

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Oh look, some wonderful friends have appeared to read some shit I wrote. Greetings! Today I’ll be covering the 19 track behemoth “Katharsis” by Washington DC’s own Amulet. Amulet is a duo fronted by Stephanie Stryker and along with her is MJ Phoenix who handles the bulk of the instrumental work and does some vocals as well. This album features some collaborators as well which is nice. Bob Carr adds some guitar work here. James Scott does bass on a track, Rob Early contributes some keys, Emmanuel B. Minko shows up to do some engineering. Oh and check this out, my own personal sleep paralysis demon Dan Milligan is here on drums. How nice, I can’t fucking get away from this dude. Dan is the fucking man and his work can be seen nearly everywhere in the scene so I already have high hopes.

Now when i saw there were NINETEEN total tracks in “Katharsis” clocking in at about 74 minutes I was worried that the album might get a little stale. Then I remembered that my band Decent News put out an album that had less tracks but still had a 70 minute runtime. By no means would runtime be a reason to complain but it would be hypocritical if I did. That being said, by the time is was 6 tracks in I was pretty sold. The duo’s vocals work really well with each other. MJ’s sawzall grime juxtaposed against Stephanie’s soft melodic voice is really fun to listen too. I wish there was more layering of the twos vocals, but that’s just me.

Production wise, everything’s mixed very well. Sometimes it does kind of feel like there was a spill at the reverb factory, but I’ll give that a pass. On the technical side, everything is done very well. Even in songwriting, every song here could have stood out as a single. While on paper that sounds incredible, In practice, when you have 19 songs on an album that are at a technical level good songs, things start to blend together a little. I know most people aren’t listening to albums front to back anymore but as a cohesive piece of work, there’s not a lot of risk taking or experimentation and it feels pretty safe. Personally I feel like this album would be more powerful if it was split in two. Every track on this Katharsis is very vocal driven, and the vocals are excellent. Every song does have a catchy vocal hook that’s hard to shake. Like I have shit to do right now but the chorus to “The Hope That Kills You” keeps distracting me, which right now sucks because I can’t find my keys and I have to pick up laundry. Aside from the Vocals, there are some synth leads and guitar melodies in the album but they’re not an identifying feature of the songs. Alot of the instrumentation feels like it’s only there to support the vocals. I felt like I was waiting for someone to step out of the mix and do a cool interlude into the next section of the song. Your focus is on the vocals the entire time. Please don’t let my own critiques steer you away from checking the album out. My own weird preferences don’t take away at all from “Katharsis”. As I said every track here could absolutely stand out as a single. It’s still catchy, with some great standouts here.

The opening track “Wyrdwork” is a chilling crescendo of reverbed piano and pained cooing that really forces you to settle in. “Erase Me” as some ambient coldwave guitar work in it that is tastefully executed. “Walk Away” is surprisingly more hard hitting than you’d expect in contrast to the rest of “Katharsis”. There really is alot to enjoy here, personally I would’ve preferred a little more variation. Looking back on their previous releases I’m surprised this album didn’t explore more (I highly Recomend listening to “Secrets and Lies” and “Clear Blue Skies” – Chef’s kiss). I give Katharsis 7 whole Demonia Gift Cards out of 10.

UPDATE: I found my keys, I got too high and put them in the fridge

Music | Amulet

The Russian White – Funeral Art

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The Russian White – Distortion Production artist from Reading Pennsylvania with a new terror disco release on October 4th 2024 just in time for the spooky season. Cathedral pageantry organs and demonic chants set the stage for a sinister tale of synthesized anguish. Masterfully mixed and mastered by Tim Heireth who highlights Tom’s vocals of spewed vulgarity at an uncaring god.

Funeral Art | The Russian White (bandcamp.com)

Produced by Tim Heireth and The Russian White
Mixing:Time Heireth
Mastering: Eric Broyhill at Monsterlab

Tom Rhymer: Vocals,Synths, Beats
Michael Colon: Synths, Effects

John Jacobus: Guitars on Vampire Drugs and Black Nikes
Dan Milligan: Drums on Black Nikes
Andrew Straubel:Guitar on Vampire Drugs
The Number H: Vocals on Funeral Art

This is an album of sinister specters singing New Order “Corruption and Lies” hooks in a post-apocalyptic concrete bunker. That narrative line between science fiction and supernatural terror. A glorious synthesis of era and genre clashing together into something fresh and disconcerting.

Favorite Tracks: Vampire Drugs – I love the glitchy witchhaus vibes of this slowly expanding burner. Tom’s overlapping vocals of distorted rage ghost and clean expressive emo create a clashing barrier of modern and traditional that hits you right in the heart.

We Disappear – This track really captures that retro New Order meets filthy sensual club glitch. It’s dangerous, fresh and modern in an infectious way that makes steam rise from the dancefloor.

I love the mysterious blend of modern electronica and homage to the traditional past. Be on the lookout for live performances. This is a band at the top of my must see live soon list.

November 2023 Sounds and Shadows Darkscene Singles Chart

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  1. Bow Ever Down – Goodbye
  2. Twin Tribes – Monolith
  3. Daddybear – Antisocial
  4. Sword Tongue – To My Apparition
  5. Object X – Insomnia
  6. Brides – If Love Was A Color
  7. Mari Kattman – URGOD.AI
  8. The Mystic Underground – Famous Last Words
  9. Dogtablet – Summertime
  10. Tears For The Dying – We Are The Darkness

Time for the November Darkscene Singles Chart. This year has been flying by and full of amazing new music. I put out this chart every month to recognize incredible bands from around the world who don’t always get seen on other charts. Every bands here is chosen by our Facebook/Patreon group of Artists/DJs/Reviewers/Promotors/and Super fans. If you have a single releasing in December or know someone who does, please add it to our poll for consideration.

I will always keep supporting new darkscene music because it is my passion. I don’t like for this to feel like a business and will offer the same content for free. However the webpage/zoom account/mixcloud ect cost money. If you like what we do and want to support us for $1 a month. This is our Patreon page and Tshirts 🙂 For those that can, we really appreciate it.

Sounds and Shadows | Music Reviews, Interviews, Videocast Connecting the Darkscene | Patreon

Sounds And Shadows – SOUNDS + SHADOWS Products (teespring.com)

  1. Bow Ever Down – Goodbye – The fact that the absurdly under recognized Kimberly Kornmeier took 1st place in our chart this month fills me with emotion of why I started this chart in the first place. A talented professional that has been a part of the scene since 1998 with a soulful piercing voice and an empathetic heart being chosen by this group over more recognized names. This song was a tribute to Ghost-Youth an artist taken from this world far too soon. Lovely trancey production and sorrowful delivery. It’s hard to know the story behind this song and not mist up a bit.

Goodbye | Bow Ever Down (bandcamp.com)

2) Twin Tribes – Monolith – One of the hottest acts in modern goth dropped a new video and single from an upcoming album under the radar. Of course it is an absolute banger. Luis gives that whip crack delivery and the music has a gorgeous darksynth that was giving me Ultravox vibes. Some of the dark skies of previous releases were pulled apart to reveal clean beams of light and hope to the familiar Twin Tribes sound.

Monolith | Twin Tribes (bandcamp.com)

3) daddybear – Antisocial – Matt Fanale and Marie (Grabyourface) are two great tastes paired perfectly I am coming to associate together. Each of these new singles feels smooth and impactful. That fresh electropunk energy of intelligent message, effortless delivery, and fervent devotion to the cause. This vibrating bass beat is eroding pores into my bones. I’m here for it.

Antisocial | daddybear (bandcamp.com)

4) Sword Tongue – To My Apparition – Awesome Cali couple duo that has a strange mixture of Projekt Records and Prog Rock added an ingredient that makes everything better. Drum Daddy Dan Milligan (The Joy Thieves). Jennifers vocals really sail over a frozen fantasy world like a shield maiden bardic warrior. This track feels expansive and full of adventure. Exciting new direction.

To My Apparition | Sword Tongue (bandcamp.com)

5) Object X – Insomnia – Super cool father/daughter duo from Reno NV. Great synthesis of dreamy trance beats and 90’s alternative. The beautiful harmonies here carry an extra layer of soul from the family connection. This song makes me want to fall backwards through the bed into space.

Insomnia | Object X (bandcamp.com)

6) BRIDES – If Love Was A Colour – I know we have seen Adrian a lot in this poll lately, but every song just keeps getting better. More abstract and reckless, more simple and to the roots. That dichotomy living together in real time. This project is the best thing he has ever done.

If Love Was A Colour | BRIDES (bandcamp.com)

7) Mari Kattman – URGOD​.​AI – Another smash for Boston producer and digital disco priestess Mari Kattman. This one whirls like a sonic tornado through the club. The soundtrack to flying car you into the cyberpunk dystopia.

URGOD.AI | Mari Kattman (bandcamp.com)

8) The Mystic Underground – Famous Last Words (Of A Generation) – Great opening thrum from the New York band. Vladimir Valette has a beautiful voice that crackles with energy and hops on a distinctive cadence. The lyrics are poignant and powerful. Great video as well linked below.

Famous Last Words (Of A Generation) [Single Edit] | The Mystic Underground | Re:Mission Entertainment (bandcamp.com)

9) Dogtablet – Summertime – The always percussionally epic industrial legend calls in friends Dirk Flanigan, Mike Reidy & Roger Ebner on this filthy slinking jazzdustrial banger. I’m stumbling home from the warehouse district at 3am past mystery moisture rising from the manholes. This song is hot and wet.

The Summertime EP | Dogtablet (bandcamp.com)

10) Tears for ʇhe Dying – We Are The Darkness – I had the absolute pleasure of seeing TFTD do this song live opening for Twin Tribes and Vision Video. Adria shines like a star on stage. One of the top Death Rock bands in the modern era and this album will be something to get excited about.

We Are the Darkness (single) | Tears for ʇhe Dying (bandcamp.com)

Helvete Inc. “The Godhead” Video Premier

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Brand new single and video from Baltimore suicide rock artist STR Helvete! After a two year hiatus Helvete Inc. returns with new collaborator “DrumDaddy” Dan Milligan (Joy Thieves) and producer Erik Gufstafson (Adoration Destroyed) to unleash a savage electronic entropy doused in guitar driven gasoline. Briming with life and corruption this creeping track boils over and fills the dancefloor with green fog. STR’s voice cuts through the static with a subtitle melody.

Lyrics:
Revel in this ignorance
Confess my sins, kneel and repent
But this ever present nothingness is eating me away
Kill for unseen entities to justify existence
Hold onto faith but drowning in the lies

What is it that you pray for?
The Godhead
What is it that you prey for?
The Godhead

credits

released November 3, 2023

A Major Arcana work
Produced and mixed by Erik Gufstafson
Mastered by STR Helvete
Recorded in The Void

Dan Milligan– Drums
STR Helvete– Music, lyrics, vocals

The Godhead | Helvete Inc. (bandcamp.com)